R. M. Wanzer & Co. Hamilton

History:

Richard M. Wanzer started manufacturing sewing machines in Canada in 1858 in a workshop on James Street, Hamilton.  In the early 1860's the factory was moved to King Street and by 1875 over 500,000 machines had been produced.  In 1878 the Wanzer Company purchased the Canada Sewing Machine Company, Barton Street, Hamilton developing the site for its purpose built factory which was completed c1880 and which was capable of producing over 100,000 machines a year.
The firm seems to have traded as The Wanzer Sewing Machine Co Ltd in Great Britain and France where there were offices in London at 4 Great Portland Street (1863) and 131 Boulavard Sebastopol, Paris (1867).
The Company's machines won a number of prize medals at International Exhibitions including the 1867 Exposition Universelle de Paris, The World Exposition 1873 and the Gold Medal, Centennial Medal and Diploma at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. The Company ceased production in 1892.

Machines Produced:

1858 The Company initially produced machines based on Singer and Wheeler & Wilson principles.

Family Shuttle Introduced in 1862 this was the first machine to bear the Company name, it was unique in that the Company sucessfully put a shuttle moving in a vertical arc in a Wheeler & Wilson machine.

'Little Wanzer'. Introduced in 1867 with 4000 machines being sold in the first year of production.  By 1876 half a million had been manufactured.  The machine underwent various cosmetic improvements, very early versions have no needle bar cover, later a brass cover was produced but by the 30,000th machine this had been replaced by one which was nickel plated and which included the Patent dates May 16 & June 17 1867.

'New Little Wanzer' c1877 - c1880.  This was a significantly improved version of the Little Wanzer featuring a fully enclosed needle bar area incorporating a Patented take up lever.

NOTE: In all these versions of the Little Wanzer the shuttle moves in a vertical arc and the shuttle has to be accessed from beneath the machine.

'Little Wanzer S.R.' In the early 1880's the final verion of the Little Wanzer was introduced.  It had a straight shuttle race and a slide plate to access the shuttle in the cloth plate.  The tension discs were mounted on top of the arm, but these late versions do not feature the Patented take up lever.  It is believed production of this machine ceased in 1883.

Left: Little Wanzer S.R. Serial No. 667015.
Although almost all the decals have gone 'Little Wanzer S.R.' can faintly be made out on the arm of this early 1880's machine.  We presume S.R. stands for Straight Race, it also has the tension discs mounted on top of the arm, slide plate to the front of the cloth plate and an improved bobbin winder.  The brass plate at the base of the machine has 'Time Utilizer' with an Hour Glass Trade Mark, machine Serial Number and the London address of the Company.  A table clamp came with this machine.

Wanzer 'A' Produced from c1876 it was advertised as 'The Great Mechanical Sucess of the Age' --'The most powerful yet light running Hand Machine' it featured a straight shuttle race which was patented in 1875 and 'Shell Shuttle', it was still being produced in 1883.

Right: Wanzer 'A' Serial No. Unknown.
This is an early version of the Wanzer 'A', later versions having an improved bobbin winder.  The Company name & London address - Gt Portland Street London are stamped on the slide plate.  WANZER, A is cast on the underneath of the cloth-plate, and the machine sits in an ornamental cast iron base.

Wanzer 'F' A family machine with reversible feed was being produced between 1875 and 1880.

Wanzer 'D' A Heavy Machine suitable for Manufacturers of Heavy Goods, Tailors and Outfitters although in production in 1876 it seems to have ceased before 1880.

The Wanzer 'E' A wheel feed machine which was suitable for tailoring as well as boot closing and heavy leatherwork.  It is known to have been in production between 1876 and 1880.

Wanzer 'C' The Company introduced the Wanzer 'C' 'Light Foot Family Machine' in 1880 advertising it as having 'every improvement up to 1879'.

Wanzer 'B' Patented and available in 1883.

Right: Wanzer 'B' Serial No. 26595.
"The Wanzer" can just be made out on the arm of this machine and the centre decal is largly intact.  On the front slide plate it has "Wanzer" but almost all the rest of the engraving is worn off, only London and a patent date of 1883 remain.  It has an interesting tension arrangement and unusual bobbin winder.

Left: Wanzer 'B' Case.
This machine came in a wooden carry case with brass handle and lock.  The door is on the front but has, at some point, been hung on the opposite side, inside there was a shelf at one time.  It has been repeatedly stained and was originally a light pine/oak colour.

Thanks to Nick Jonkman & David Stirling for information.